Home > Star performances by youngsters in workshops staged in Airedale Shopping Centre

A KEIGHLEY Kids’ Theatre Day which proved a hit in the Airedale Shopping Centre last year has made a successful return. It was held in the centre on Saturday (Jan 27) with funding provided by Keighley Business Improvement District. (BID)

Many youngsters flocked to the entertainment’s space to take part in a series of lively singing and dancing workshops. The day, which ran from 10am until 4pm, also featured free
facepainting and balloon modelling, which was offered by a group called
Face Painting by Claire.

Stage 84 is an Idle-based performing arts school, which also has branches in Skipton and Burley-in-Wharfedale. It has its own casting agency representing young people for professional work in television, film and theatre.

Craig Winward, managing director of Stage 84, said: “We’ve had a
really good turnout here in Keighley, which has been great to see. “On this occasion we’ve had children staying not just for 20 minutes but through several different workshops, and for nearly the whole day in a couple of cases. “We’ve even seen some children we recognise who came to this event last year.”

Commenting shortly before the entertainment concluded, Keighley BID
support officer Phil Walker said: “It has been very busy today. “We did this event twice last year, in January and in May, but today
has been the busiest it has been so far. It’s growing in popularity. “There have been young kids performing to the crowd solo, and some families have stayed nearly all day. “We’ll be scheduling Stage 84 to come again in May.”

Among the parents attending the group’s latest session in the Airedale
Centre over the weekend was Keighley mum Liz Baxter, who was present
with her two daughters. She said: “I think this is good for Keighley because it brings out the
creative side in children, and gives them opportunities to be
innovative. “They get a chance to consider creative arts such as dancing and singing. And it’s not about needing to be good at it, it’s about getting involved.”

Mandy Rushworth, from Oakworth, who attended with her five-year-old
son and his four-year-old cousin, said: “We came to this once last year
and enjoyed it, so when we saw the posters up for this a few days ago we
knew we’d come again. “The kids really love it, and the people running the workshops are so enthusiastic.”